• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.218-224
• /
• 2003

Purpose：By evaluating the dependence of the tray transmission factor (tray factor) on collimator setting and tray thickness, we determined the validity of the clinically used single tray factor for standard radiation field size (10${\times}$10 $\textrm{cm}^2$). Methods and Materials：For each X ray energies (6 and 10 MV), outputs were measured by using 5 steps of tray thickness (0, 6, 8, 10, 12 mm) and 7 steps of radiation field size (5${\times}$5, 10${\times}$10, 15${\times}$15, 20${\times}$20, 25${\times}$25, 30${\times}$30, 35${\times}$35 $\textrm{cm}^2$) at 10 cm phantom depth. Outputs were measured in both 'with tray' and 'without tray' conditions by using radiation with the same monitor units, and the tray factors were determined by the ratios of the two outputs. To evaluate the validity of a single tray factor obtained for standard radiation field, we analyzed the pattern of the field sizes in cases treated at our hospital in 2002. Results : In the 6 MV X-ray, the increases in the tray factor between the standard field (l0${\times}$10 $\textrm{cm}^2$) and the largest field (35${\times}$35 $\textrm{cm}^2$) were 0.517%, 0.835%, 1.058%, 1.066% in 6, 8, 10, and 12 mm thickness tray, respectively. In the 10 MV X-ray, the increases in the fray factor between the standard field (10${\times}$10 $\textrm{cm}^2$) and the largest field (35${\times}$35 $\textrm{cm}^2$) were 0.517%, 0.836%, 1.058%, 1.066% in 6, 8, 10, 12 mm thickness tray, respectively. In a major portion of clinical cases, when the field size was smaller than 20${\times}$20 $\textrm{cm}^2$, the tray factor was in good agreement with the standard tray factor. However, in cases where the field sizes were 30${\times}$30 $\textrm{cm}^2$ and 35${\times}$35 $\textrm{cm}^2$, the error could exceed 1.0%. Conclusion：The tray factor increased with increasing field size or decreasing tray thickness. The difference of tray factor between the small field and the large field increased with increasing tray thickness. Furthermore, the standard tray factor was valid in most clinical cases except for when the field size was greater than 30${\times}$30 $\textrm{cm}^2$, wherein the error could exceed 1.0%.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.305-311
• /
• 2006

Purpose : GnRH analogues(GnRHa) are used to treat central precocious puberty(CPP). However, in some patients, the GV decrease is so remarkable that it impairs predicted adult height(PAH); and there fore, the addition of growth hormone(GH) is suggested. We analysed the growth changes during two years and final adult height(FAH) in girls with idiopathic CPP treated with combined therapy, compared with those of girls treated with GnRHa alone. Methods : For the analysis, we classified the patients, who was treated for longer than two years, into three groups depending on the initial PAH and combination of GH; PAH_L, treated with GnRHa and PAH less than midparental height(MPH) - 5 cm. PAH_H, treated with GnRHa and PAH greater than MPH - 5 cm. GnRHa＋GH, combined GH treatment, regardless of PAH before treatment. We analysed the GV and PAH change during the first two years and FAH. Results : In PAH_L, the PAH(SDS) at first year of therapy was significantly increased to $153.5{\pm}6.5cm(-1.4{\pm}1.3)$ from $149.7{\pm}6.4cm(-2.1{\pm}1.3)$ before treatment(P=0.004). In PAH_H, there was no significant increase in PAH during the two years of treatment. During the first year of combination of GH and GnRHa, GV and PAH increased significantly. We observed significant increases in FAH, comparing to the initial PAH in the PAH_L and GnRHa＋GH groups. The height gains(FAH - initial PAH) were significantly higher in the PAH_L and GnRHa＋GH groups than that in the PAH_H group. Conclusion : This study suggests the FAH and height gains are improved in patients, whose predicted adult height before treatment was shorter than those with higher predicted adult height, with the treatment of GnRHa alone or in combination with GH. GH could not improve the final adult height, but compensated the growth in patients whose growth velocity was decelerated by GnRHa alone.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.83-93
• /
• 2003

Background: Lung-to-heart uptake ratio (LHR) in $^{201}Tl-chloride$ myocardial perfusion scan is believed to be a reliable marker for left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, but the clinical value of LHR is controversial for $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ imaging. Furthermore, most of results suggesting lung uptake of $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ as a potential marker for LV dysfunction used immediate post-stress images, instead of routine images acquired 1 hour after tracer injection. The goal of our study was to investigate whether LHR evaluated with routine gated $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ imaging can reflect the degree of perfusion defect or left ventricular performance. Subjects and Methods: 241 patients underwent exercise $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ myocardial SPECT were classified into normal myocardial perfusion (NP, n=135) and abnormal myocardial perfusion (AP, n=106) group according to the presence of perfusion defect. LHR was calculated from anterior projection image taken at 1-hour after injection. Two legions of interest (ROIs) were placed on left lung above LV and on myocardium showing the highest radioactivity. Subjects were classified by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), as Gr-I: >50%, Gr-II: 36-50%, Gr-III: <36% and by summed stress score (SSS), as Gr-A: <4, Gr-B: 4-8, Gr-C: 9-13, Gr-D: >13, LHR was compared among these groups. Results: In NP group(n=135), LHR, were higher in men than women ($men:\;0.311{\pm}0.03,\;women:\;0.296{\pm}0.03,\;p<0.05$). Significant difference, in LHR were found between NP and AP groups both for men and women ($men:\;0.311{\pm}0.03\;vs\;.\;0.331{\pm}0.06,\;women:\;0.296{\pm}0.03\;vs.\;0.321{\pm}0.07.\;p<0.05$). There were weak negative correlation between LHR and LVEF (r=-0.342, p<0.05) and weak positive correlation between LHR and SSS (r=0.478, p<0.05) in men, but not in women (LVEF: r=-0.279, p=0.100, SSS: r=0.276, p=0.103). Increased LHR was defined when for more than mean + 2SD value ($men{\geq}0.38,\;women{\geq}0.37$) of the LHR of the subject with normal perfusion. Increased LHR were observed more frequently in subjects with lower LVEF (Gr-I: 11.1%, Gr-II: 27.0%, Gr-III: 35.4%, p<0.05) and higher SSS(Gr-A: 14.0%, Gr-B: 5.7%, Gr-C: 18.2%, Gr-D: 40.7%, p<0.05). Conclusions: LHRs obtained from routine $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ gated SPECT images were weakly correlated with LVEF and perfusion defect. Although significant overlaps were observed between normal and abnormal perfusion group, LHRs could be used as an indirect marker of severe perfusion defect or reduced left ventricular function.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.110-119
• /
• 2003

Purpose: Radioiodine (I-131) therapy is an effective modality to reduce both recurrence and mortality rates in differentiated thyroid cancer. Whether higher doses shows higher therapeutic responses was still debatable. The purpose of this study was to validate curve-fitting (CF) method measuring maximum permissible dose (MPD) by a biological dosimetry using metaphase analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Materials and Methods: Therapeutic effects of MPD was evaluated in 58 patients (49 females and 9 males, mean age $50{\pm}11$ years) of papillary thyroid cancer. Among them 43 patients were treated with ${\Leq}7.4GBq$, while 15 patients with ${\geq}9.25GBq$. The former was defined as low-dose group, and the latter high-dose group. Therapeutic response was defined as complete response when complete disappearance of lesions on follow-up I-131 scan and undetectable serum thyroglobulin levels were found. Statistical comparison between groups were done using chi-square test. P value less than 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Results: MPD measured by CF method using tracer and therapeutic doses were $13.3{\pm}1.9\;and\;13.8{\pm}2.1GBq$, respectively (p=0.20). They showed a significant correlation (r=0.8, p<0.0001). Exposed doses to blood measured by CF and biological methods were $1.54{\pm}0.03\;and\;1.78{\pm}0.03Gy$ (p=0.01). They also showed a significant correlation (r=0.86, p=0.01). High-dose group showed a significantly higher rate of complete response (12/15, 80%) as compared to the low-dose group (22/43, 51.2%) (p=0.05). While occurrence of side effects was not different between two groups (40% vs. 30.2%, p=0.46). Conclusion: Measurement of MPD using CF method is reliable, and the high-dose I-131 therapy using MPD gains significantly higher therapeutic effects as compared with low-dose therapy.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.36 no.1 s.102
• /
• pp.21-28
• /
• 2003

Community composition and functional feeding groups of aquatic insects according to stream order were investigated from the Gapyeong Creek, a typical mid-sized Korean stream in Gyeonggi -do, Korea, in April 2000. For field investigations, the main watercourse and three major tributaries of the stream that belong to stream order ll to Vll were divided into reaches (ca. $1{\sim}4$ km in distance). Aquatic insects were sampled from one or two sites each reach (total 30 sites) using a Surber sampler ($50{\times}50$cm, mesh 0.75 mm). As a result of the quantitative samplings(two Surber samplings at riffle and pool/run per site; total $2{\times}30$=60 Surber samplings) and additional qualitative samplings, a total of 164 species of aquatic insects in 103 genera, 54 families, and 8 orders were collected from the stream. Those aquatic insects were composed of Trichoptera (56spp.: 34.1%), Ephemeroptera (43 spp.: 26.2%), Diptera (25spp.: 15.2%), Plecoptera (23 spp.: 14.0%), Coleoptera (6 spp.: 3.7%), Odonata (6 spp.:3.7%), Hemiptera (3 spp.: 1.8%), and Megaloptera (2 spp.: 1.2%); EPT-group (122 spp.:74.4%) or EPT-group plus Diptera (147 spp.: 89.6%) occupied most of the aquatic insect community; relatively larger number of species occurred in the mid-stream reaches (order III-Vl). The quantitative samplings throughout the study sites yielded a total of 26,286 individuals of aquatic insects ($136{\sim}2522$ inds./0.5 $m^2$, mean 906.4inds./0.5 $m^2$) that belongs to Ephemeroptera (11,994 inds.: 45.6%), Diptera (8730 inds.:33.2%), Trichoptera (4123 inds.: 15.7%), Plecoptera (1213 inds.: 4.6%), Coleoptera (204 inds.: 0.8%), Odonata (13 inds.: 0.05%), Megaloptera (5 inds.: 0.02%), and Hemiptera (4inds.: inds.: 0.02%); average number of individuals of aquatic insects increased as the stream order increased: average numbers of individuals of Bllecoptera and Trichoptera decreased and increased, respectively, as the stream order increased. Tolerant species such as Chironomidae spp., Uracanthella rufa and Hydropsychidae spp. were particularly abundant in the down stream reaches (order Vll) . Species diversity indices (H`) and dominance indices (Dl) were relatively higher and lower, respectively, in the mid-stream reaches (order $IV{\sim}VI$). Shredders occupied the smallest partand collector-gatherers were most abundant among the functional feeding groups(FFGs); collector-filterers considerably increased in the down stream reaches (orders Vl and VII); scrappers were relatively evenly distributed throughout the stream reaches: predators were relatively more abundant in the uppermost stream reaches(order ll) . Overall, the characteristics of aquatic insect comminity and FFGs in the Gapyeong Creek are largely similar to those in the normal streams of temperate deciduous forest in the northern hemisphere that is explained by the river confineum concept.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.79-99
• /
• 2003

Muscovite and biotite from 52 metasediments and 5 granites in the Hwasan area, the southwest of the Okcheon metamorphic belt and the Miwon-Jeungpyeong area, central Okcheon metamorphic belt were dated by the K-Ar and $^{40}$ Ar/$^{39}$ Ar methods. Muscovite and biotite ages from metapelitic and psammitic rocks (metasediments) of the Boeun and Pibanryeong units in the Hwasan area are concentrated in the mid-Jurassic (149-180 Ma). K-Ar and $^{40}$ Ar/$^{39}$ Ar ages for metapelitic and psammitic rocks of the Boeun and Pibanryeong units in the Miwon-Jeungpyeong area show complicated age distribution. Muscovite and biotite ages are classified by three groups, 142-194 Ma, 216-234 Ma, and 241-277 Ma. Younger (Cretaceous) ages occur only in metasediments close to Cretaceous granitic rocks in the southeastern region and the older ages of 216-277 Ma are restricted to the middle Part of the Jeungpyeong area. Most ages in the other area of the central Okcheon metamorphic belt fall between 142-194 Ma (Jurassic). K-Ar and $^{40}$ Ar/$^{39}$ Ar ages for granite from the northern part in the both the southwest and central Okcheon metamorphic belt also gave middle Jurassic ages (156-168 Ma). The similar ages from both metasediments and granites in the study areas indicate simultaneous cooling of both rocks to 300-350$^{\circ}C$ during the middle Jurassic. The state of graphitization of carbonaceous material of all metasediments in the study areas Indicates fully ordered graphite falling within a small range, from 3.353 to 3.359 ${\AA}$, which indicate amphibolite facies regional metamorphism. In the southern sector of the Boeun unit from the Hwasan area, metamorphic grade indicated by mineral paragenesis during regional intermediate-P/T metamorphism is greenschist facies. Whereas, the $d_{002}$ values for carbonaceous materials in the same sector show fully ordered graphite (ca. 500$^{\circ}C$) indicating amphibolite facies. This result with the concentration of mica ages of metasediments into the middle Jurassic, the presence of low-P/T thermal metamorphic zone (>500$^{\circ}C$) in the metasediments close to the Jurassic granite and the regional intrusion of Jurassic granites and their middle Jurassic intrusion and cooling ages may indicate the low-P/T regional thermal event during the early(\ulcorner)-middle Jurassic after main intermediate-P/T metamorphism which formed main mineral assemblage regionally in the study area. The regional thermal event failed, however, to reset the mineral assemblage of regional intermediate-P/T metamorphism except for narrow aureole (1-2 km) around Jurassic granite because e duration of thermal effect was relatively short by repid cooling of the Jurassic granite. In the middle part of the Jeungpyeong area, central Ogcheon metamorphic belt, muscovite and biotite K-Ar ages from 5 samples are 263-277 Ma and 241-249 Ma, respectively. An intermediate-P/T metamorphism is currently accepted to have occurred between 280 and 300 Ma. Therefore, the muscovite and biotite ages can be interpreted as cooling ages after Ml metamorphism indicating rapid cooling to ca 350$^{\circ}C$ between 280-300 Ma and 263-271 Ma, and biotite ages indicate slower cooling to ca. 300$^{\circ}C$ between 263-277 Ma and 241-249 Ma. However, more detail study is needed to confirm why the Permian to Triassic ages occur only in the middle Part of the Jeungpyeong area.a.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.119-134
• /
• 2003

Yuksipryeong two-mica granite presents strongly peraluminous characteristics in both mineralogy and geochemistry. It has high aluminum saturation index with 1.15∼l.20 and high corundum with 2.20∼2.98 wt% CIPW norm. As the color index is <16% and FeO$\^$T/+ MgO + TiO$_2$is average 1.9 wt％, it corresponds to leucogranite. Yuksipryeong two-mica leucogranite shows negative linear trend for TiO$_2$, Al$_2$O$_3$, FeO, Fe$_2$O$_3$, MgO, CaO, K$_2$O, P$_2$O$\_$5/, Rb, Ba, and Sr as SiO$_2$increases, and the positive relation of Zr and Th, which result from feldspar, biotite, apatite and zircon fractionation. Pegmatitic dike has higher SiO$_2$and P$_2$O$\_$5/, but lower another major elements. Yuksipryeong two-mica leucogranite has lower Rb, but higher Ba and Sr than Manaslu, Hercynian two-mica leucogranites, and S-type granites in Lachlan Fold Belt. Pegmatitic dike has higher Rb and Nb but lower Ba, Sr, Zr, Th, and Pb contents than Yuksipryeong two-mica leucogranite, resulting in removing or mobilizing for some trace elements from the granitic melt. Yuksipryeong two-mica leucogranite has total REEs with 95.7∼l23.3 ppm, and chondrite-normalized REE pattern is very steep ((La/Yb)$\_$N/ = 6.9∼24.8), light REEs (LREEs)-enriched End heavy REEs (HREEs)- depleted pattern with low to moderate Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu＊= 0.7∼0.9). While pegmatitic dike has low total REEs with 7.0 ppm, and chondrite-normalized REE pattern is flat-pattern ((La/Yb)$\_$N/ = 2.1) with strong negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu＊= 0.2). The melt compositions having formed two-mica leucogranites depend on not only the source rock but also the amounts of the residual remaining after melting of source rocks. The CaO/Na$_2$O and Rb/Sr-Rb/Ba ratios depend mainly on the composition of source rocks in the strongly peraluminous granite, that is, plagioclase/clay ratio of the source rocks. Yuksipryeong two-mica leucogranite has higher CaO/Na$_2$O and lower Rb/Sr-Rb/Ba ratios than Manaslu and Hercynian two-mica leucogranites (Millevaches and Gueret) derived from clay-rich, plagioclase-poor (polite), which suggest that the probable source rocks for Yuksipryeong two-mica leucogranite is clay-poor, plagioclase-rich quartzofeldspathic rocks. As the concentrations of Al$_2$O$_3$remain nearly constant but those of TiO$_2$increases as increasing temperature in the strong peraluminous melt, the Al$_2$O$_3$/TiO$_2$ratio may reflect relative temperature at which the melts have formed. Comparing the polite-derived Manaslu and Hercynian two- mica leucogranites, Manaslu two-mica leucogranite has higher Al$_2$O$_3$/TiO$_2$ratio than latter, and its melt have formed at relatively lower temperature ($\leq$ 875$^{\circ}C$) than Hercynian two-mica leucogranites. Likewise, comparing the quartzofeldspathic rock-derived granites, Yuksipryeong two-mica granite has higher Al$_2$O$_3$/TiO$_2$, ratio than S-type granites in Lachlan Fold Belt (>875$^{\circ}C$). The melt formed Yuksipryeong two-mica leucogranite are considered to have been formed at temperature at below the maximum 875$^{\circ}C$C$.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.140-151
• /
• 2003

Purpose: We tried to evaluate the long term efficacy and positive predictive factors of interferon-alpha treatment in children with chronic hepatitis B. Methods: The study population included 113 children who received interferon therapy between May 1982 and July 2002 (20 years) for chronic hepatitis B in Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine. Male to female ratio was 2.3 : 1 and the mean age at diagnosis was $11.1{\pm}4.1$ years old. Response to treatment was defined as normalization of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), disappearance of HBeAg and HBV-DNA Eighty two children responded while 32 did not. Interferon-alpha was given intramuscularly for 6 months at a dosage of $3{\times}10^6$ unit, 3 times weekly. In relapsed cases, lamivudine or interferon retreatment was done. Results: Seroconversion rate was 77.0% in terms of HBeAg, 74.3% in terms of HBV-DNA, and 80.5% in terms of ALT normalization after treatment. Seroconversion rate of both HBeAg and HBV-DNA was 72.6%. Analyzed by life table method, the effect of the treatment had been maintained over 10 years after cessation of therapy. Pre-treatment ALT level was the only significant positive predictive factor of response. Eleven cases (13.4%) relapsed, and 2 out of 3 showed response when treated with lamivudine and 1 out of 3 with interferon retreatment. Conclusion: Interferon-alpha showed significant efficacy in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in our study. Further studies about the effect of interferon therapy on complications of hepatitis such as hepatocarcinoma, cirrhosis are warranted.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.167-177
• /
• 2003

Purpose : To know the trends of antimicrobial susceptibility is critical for antimicrobial treatment. We studied the organisms isolated from blood, urine, stool, and cerebrospinal fluid from 1997 to 2001 to reveal the trends of their antimicrobial susceptibility. Methods : We conducted a retrospective study with isolates obtained from 0~18 year old outpatients and inpatients from 1997 to 2001 at Department of Pediatrics, Hanil general hospital. We gathered the data through the laboratory test files and the origin of microorganisms cultured from blood, urine, stool and cerebrospinal fluid and their antimicrobial susceptibility. Results : Microorganisms were isolated from 226(3.3%) out of 6,974 blood cultures, 365 (8.0%) out of 4,549 urine cultures, 50(1.9%) out of 2,593 stool cultures and 9(1.4%) in 655 cerebrospinal fluid cultures. The most frequently isolated organisms from blood cultures was Staphylococcus epidermidis(33.5%) which was followed by Staphylococcus aureus(19.7%), Escherichia coli(13.8%), and Burkholderia cepacia(9.0%). Among the urine cultures, E. coli was the most common(74.7%) which was followed by Group D Enterococcus(11.3%), Klebsiella pneumoniae(7.1%) and Proteus mirabilis(2.5%). The positive stool cultures all yield Salmonella species. Group D Salmonella was obtained most frequently. Among the positive cerebrospinal fluid cultures, Group B Streptococcus was isolated most frequently. Among the 40 cases of S. aureus in blood cultures, 27 cases were methicillin-resistant. The rates of susceptibility for amikacin, ceftizoxime and ceftriaxone of E. coli isolated from blood cultures were 80%, 100% and 60% in 1997 and 60%, 80% and 60% in 2001. The rates of susceptibility for amikacin, ceftizoxime and ceftriaxone of K. pnumoniae isolated from urine cultures. were 80%, 100% and 80% in 1997 and 50%, 83% and 50% in 2001 Enterococcus was isolated from 6.7% to 15.8% and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus was observed in 17% of Group D Enterococcus isolated from urine cultures. The rates of susceptibility for amikacin, ceftizoxime and ceftriaxone of Group D Salmonella were 96%, 96% and 92% during the study period. Conclusion : Among the blood cultures S. epidermidis, S. aureus, E. coli and B. cepacia were isolated in order of frequency and among the urine cultures E. coli, Group D Enterococcus, K. pneumoniae and P. mirabilis were isolated in order of frequency. During the study period there was no big difference in major organisms isolated from blood and urine. The methicillin-resistant S. aureus was observed in 67% of S. aureus isolated from blood cultures but vancomycin-reistant S. aureus or vancomycin intermediate resistant S. aureus was not observed. The rates of susceptibility to amikacin and the third generation cephalosporin of E. coli isolated from blood cultures and K. pneumoniae from urine cultures have decreased. The isolation rates of Group D Enterococcus and vancomycin resistant Enterococcus have increased.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.107-122
• /
• 2003

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the use rate and some aspect of complementary therapies used by patients with chronic illness(hypertension, diabetic mellitus and chronic arthritis). Methods: 600 patients visiting the health center for one month(Jan. 2001) were interviewed on their complementary therapies used by the subjects for the previous year. Results: About fourteen-eight percent of the respondents used therapies; 35% of patients with hypertension, 44.6% of patients with diabetic mellitus and 62.9% of patients with chronic arthritis, which shows the highest rate among patients with three chronic disease. The use rate of complementary therapies indicates few meaningful differences according to the general characteristics of the interviewees. Hypertension patients used herb medication(31.0%) acupuncture(29.6%) and most of all the other therapies. Diabetic patients used dietary therapy(57.5%) and herb medication(35.1%). Chronic arthritis patients used acupuncture(85%) and herb medication(34.7%). 36.8% of all the patients who used complementary therapies tried more than two therapies. 18.3% of hypertension patients, 24.1% of diabetic patients and 55.9% of chronic arthritis patients used more than two therapies. Acupuncture(47%) was used most frequently, followed by herb medications(26.3%), health assistance utensils(21.8%). oriental therapy(21.8%), physical therapy(9.5%), health assistance food(8.4%), herb(7.7%), Korea hand acupuncture(3.2%), abdomen respiration(1.1%), and pore therapy(0.7%) Oriental clinic was visited most frequently(42.8%), which was used to cure diseases(61.8%), and to relieve symptoms(26.0%). (p<0.001) The cost spent on complementary therapies last year was 90,000 won(40.3%) and there are some cases of more than 500,000 won(31.2%). Most of the patients(56.1%) were satisfied with the complementary therapies, with 6% of them having side effects. 74% of the patients used complementary therapies answered that they would continue them and 56.1% of them also answered that they would continue them and 56.1% of them also answered that they would advise other patients to do them. Advantages(compared with those of orthodox medical treatment) are psychological comfort(28.1%), body protection(26.0%), effectiveness(20.0%). 34% of the patients using complementary therapies wanted to have informational orientation on complementary therapies. These findings reveal that a considerable number of patients with chronic illness(47.5%) tried a variety of complementary therapies. Though 6% of the patients using therapies had side effects, most of the subjects seemed satisfied with them and they are supposed to continue them. Conclusions: In conclusion, health center personnels and medical doctors should pay more attention to the complementary therapies used by patients with chronic illness. They also have to try their best to advise more scientific and informative complementary programs with less side effects and more help to improve their conditions.